Heating and Cooling Systems - What You Should Know About Heat Pumps

Many homes are adequate with heat pumps as their heating and cooling system. Heat pumps work well at most temperatures; however, in extreme temperatures they may not supply the relax level you expect. The following are some operating and maintenance tips to help you set realistic expectations about heat pumps and to speak the law at peak energy efficiency and operating effectiveness.

Heat pumps discharge heat from one place and exchange it to another. In air conditioning mode, they discharge heat from inside the home and exchange it outside. In heating mode, they discharge heat from outside and exchange it inside. This process works when the outside temperature is between about 40 and 95 degrees F. It is more difficult for the law to speak comfortable interior temperatures when the outside temperature is beyond this range. Older systems and systems that are poorly maintained may have a narrower outside temperature range within which they can speak comfortable interior temperatures.

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Heat pumps, like any heating and cooling system, should be correctly sized for the home. A common misconception about heat pumps is that a larger law is all the time better; in fact too large is bad. A heat pump that is too large may not run long adequate in air conditioning mode to effectively remove humidity from the air. This can originate moisture control problems that can conduce to mold growth. A heat pump is less energy productive when it begins operating and does not reach full energy efficiency for several minutes. A heat pump that runs for short periods costs more to run and may have a shorter beneficial life.

Heat pumps are less productive in cold weather. This is why they are less common in northern areas. When the outside temperature falls below about 40 degrees F., a heat pump may not be able to raise the internal temperature to a comfortable level. Heat pumps in cooler climates are adequate with auxiliary heating elements. These elements look and act much like the wires that glow red in a toaster. Like their cousins in a toaster, these elements supply added heat to help bring the inside temperature to a general level. Because it is difficult to know if these elements are operating properly, you should have them tested as part of general law maintenance.

A heat pump should speak a comfortable indoor temperature. The International Residential Code (Irc) heating performance appropriate requires that the law speak a temperature in the home of at least 68 degrees F. The Irc has no performance appropriate for cooling. The National connection of Home Builders (Nahb) heating performance appropriate is 70 degrees F. And the cooling appropriate is 78 degrees F. Or 15 degrees C. Below an outside air temperature of 95 degrees F. States and cities may have distinct standards. The performance appropriate temperature is often measured near the town of the room and about five feet above the floor.

The Irc and Nahb standards are not clear about temperature variances between areas in the home, but it is uncostly to expect that the temperature in each area be near the temperature at the thermostat. Some temperature dissimilarity between areas is general and unavoidable. It is uncostly to allow one or two degrees temperature variance between areas.

Operating a heat pump is similar to operating any forced air Hvac system. In most cases, the recommended thermostat settings for heat pumps are 68 degrees F. In winter and 78 in summer. These settings supply energy productive performance at uncostly relax levels.

Use of setback thermostats is commonly not recommended with heat pumps, particularly in heat mode. Heat pumps are often designed so that in heating mode, if there is a dissimilarity of about 3 or more degrees between the thermostat setting and inside air temperature, the auxiliary heating elements will be activated. The heating elements are far more expensive to run than the heat pump itself, so use of the heat strips should be avoided.

Heat pump maintenance starts with quarterly filter replacement. If you pick disposable filters, use the uncostly blue or white fiberglass mesh type. The more expensive pleated paper filters can restrict the air flow in the law manufacture it work longer. Turn these filter every month.

If you have an way tube in the condensate drain line at the air handler, pour about ½ cup of bleach into the line when you Turn the filter. This will help keep the line clean and reduce the opportunity that it will clog and force water into your home. If you do not have an way tube, think having one installed at the next aid call.

Use a orchad hose to wash the fins on the condenser (the outside unit) about once per month. Keep walls and plants at least 1 foot from the sides and 10 feet from the top of the condenser. Keep the condenser shaded from direct sunlight to the extent practical.

Finally, have inhibitive maintenance aid performed on the law at least once per year.

Like all mechanical components, heat pumps wear out. Condensers typically last between about 5 and 15 years. Air handlers typically last between 15 and 20 years.

Heat pumps are a good selection for heating and cooling in warm climates where gas aid is not available. A gas furnace is regularly a more cost-effective selection where gas aid is available. Heat pumps can supply energy productive aid for many years when properly installed, operated, and maintained.

Heating and Cooling Systems - What You Should Know About Heat Pumps